A retrospective data published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry reported that individuals with the functional neurologic disorder (FND) after SARS-CoV-2 infection showed distinct symptoms than people with FND following COVID vaccinations.

FND is a disorder caused by an imbalance in brain signaling with no major structural brain damage. Additionally, vaccinations and certain other diseases can act as stressors causing FND. Individuals with post-COVID FND were older, had a more gradual start, and had more disability.

The study included 46 patients, 33 in the post-COVID FND group (72%), 13 in the post-vaccine FND group (28%), and 78% of the participants were women.

In 65% of FND patients, the phenotype was primarily motor, while 32% had a mixed sensory phenotype. All groups had fatigue, soreness, and cognitive impairments. In the post-vaccine group, 87% of patients experienced FND symptoms within one week of vaccination.

It was observed that 48% of FND patients required psychiatric or psychological care, 33% required physical therapy, and one required speech therapy. Improvement was seen in 46% FND patients, 39% of the FND patients remained stable, and 9% had worsened after 14 months. Three patients were unable to be contacted for follow-up after their diagnosis.

The findings suggest that FND should be considered while assessing patients with post-COVID neurologic symptoms.

(Source: https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/longcovid/103708)